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Jerry Jones keeping the faith in Jaylon Smith: 'It's the type of thing that could really come around'
By Jon Machota
When the Cowboys used the 34th overall pick to draft Jaylon Smith in April, they understood it was unlikely that the Notre Dame linebacker would play in 2016.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declined to shut the door on the possibility of Smith returning later in the year, so many have continued to speculate.
Smith was seen throughout the offseason program rehabbing the left knee he severely injured in the Fiesta Bowl. But it appears there's still a ways to go in regards to the nerve fully recovering.
"His progress is really undetermined," Jones said Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show [KRLD-FM]. "But that was to be expected. He is not off plan at all. The rejuvenation of the nerve that would help him get in position to actually hit the playing field is not complete, but it is not behind. It was to be expected.
"Our doctors are not dismayed at all. I'm not [dismayed]. It's the type of thing that could really come around. And if it comes around, then we'll take advantage of it. And he's such an impact player that we would try to get him on the field. In the meantime, he's doing many things that would let you use the word progress. Of course, he has unbelievable work ethic, character, resolve to help the team."
Smith said last month that he didn't know when he would play football again. But he did state the he was confident he would eventually return to being an "elite" linebacker.
If not for the injury, which included a torn ACL and MCL, Smith would've likely been a top five pick in this year's draft.
Smith said he has experienced "great improvements" in terms of strength in the surgically-repaired knee, however, it's the nerve that will ultimately determine when he can return to football activities.
"I'm just grinding each and every day, controlling what I can control," Smith said. "Once I'm healthy and I'm cleared, I'll be back out there.
"Everything I do, I have a clear-eye view, a focused vision, a determination, so getting back out there is my No. 1 goal. But it's definitely testing my patience, and I'm loving it."
By Jon Machota
When the Cowboys used the 34th overall pick to draft Jaylon Smith in April, they understood it was unlikely that the Notre Dame linebacker would play in 2016.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declined to shut the door on the possibility of Smith returning later in the year, so many have continued to speculate.
Smith was seen throughout the offseason program rehabbing the left knee he severely injured in the Fiesta Bowl. But it appears there's still a ways to go in regards to the nerve fully recovering.
"His progress is really undetermined," Jones said Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show [KRLD-FM]. "But that was to be expected. He is not off plan at all. The rejuvenation of the nerve that would help him get in position to actually hit the playing field is not complete, but it is not behind. It was to be expected.
"Our doctors are not dismayed at all. I'm not [dismayed]. It's the type of thing that could really come around. And if it comes around, then we'll take advantage of it. And he's such an impact player that we would try to get him on the field. In the meantime, he's doing many things that would let you use the word progress. Of course, he has unbelievable work ethic, character, resolve to help the team."
Smith said last month that he didn't know when he would play football again. But he did state the he was confident he would eventually return to being an "elite" linebacker.
If not for the injury, which included a torn ACL and MCL, Smith would've likely been a top five pick in this year's draft.
Smith said he has experienced "great improvements" in terms of strength in the surgically-repaired knee, however, it's the nerve that will ultimately determine when he can return to football activities.
"I'm just grinding each and every day, controlling what I can control," Smith said. "Once I'm healthy and I'm cleared, I'll be back out there.
"Everything I do, I have a clear-eye view, a focused vision, a determination, so getting back out there is my No. 1 goal. But it's definitely testing my patience, and I'm loving it."
